Chapter 719: Strange Person
Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
Opening the nursery on this day was also Ah Yu’s idea. Every year, on the 15th of August, her family would celebrate her birthday. Even if they did not invite guests, her family could still fill a few tables.
This time, Ah Yu did not want everyone to revolve around her when she came to Wanning City, so she suggested bringing forward the matter of the nursery to August 15th. Then, everyone could celebrate in the new nursery.
The location of the nursery was not on Three Thoughts Street, but a street away. Liu Shi used the money Old Madam Wang had given her previously to buy a piece of property. After taking care of it, it became a nursery.
“Enduring Tranquility Nursery? This name is quite fitting, and it complements Wanning City’s name which carries the meaning of Eternal Peace.” On the opening day, even though there were no children attending yet, the local residents had noticed the place undergoing decoration long ago. It wasn’t until today when the signboard was hung and decorated in red that they saw the name.
The festive lanterns were already hung outside, waiting to be lit up in the evening.
Liu Shi’s Enduring Tranquility Nursery was not considered remote, and it was close to Three Thoughts Street. There were many scholars and calligraphers around, all gathered at the entrance of the nursery.
As the owner of the nursery, Liu Shi naturally did not stay idle. Instead, she took the opportunity to pull the servant girl, Zhi Nuan, along and explained the concept of the nursery to everyone at the door.
Although Wanning City was big, the number of nurseries and children schools could be counted on one hand. Those who were more particular wouldn’t send their children to a nursery. They would usually invite the teachers over to conduct the lessons at their home. When the children were older, they would send them to the academy to study.
There was no need to mention those who were not particular. The children of those families did not have the chance to go to school at all. They would run around and play all day. It was already not bad if they could make it to adulthood in that manner.
Liu Shi’s nursery was also divided into different classes. Some were for nurturing various interests, some were purely for the children to run around in, and some were for obtaining knowledge.
In order to make it easier for the nursery to recruit students, Qin Huai even took the initiative to lend his title as the top scholar and become an ambassador of Enduring Tranquility Nursery. He expressed that he would go to the nursery to lecture one day every month and answer questions.
Liu Shi naturally would not let go of such an opportunity for publicity. Taking advantage of the fact that everyone was here to watch the commotion, she told them about the top scorer coming to the nursery to lecture.
Hearing this, some families could not sit still anymore.
A top scholar giving a lecture was a good thing that could not be obtained normally even if begged for, let alone once a month. They felt that it would be a favor even if he did it only once a year.
Not to mention anything else, just the scholarly aura and talent of the top scholar might rub off on their children and inspire them to walk the path of the Imperial Examinations in the future.
Although there were many students in Wanning City, there were also many who failed. Many families spend a lot of money, yet there are plenty of cases where their children don’t succeed. There are even many who can’t even pass the preliminary imperial examination.
Seeing that using Qin Huai’s name was useful, Ah Yu also worked hard to endorse her family.
She expressed that the tuition fees for the nursery were not high. The children of ordinary families could also be sent over. Although it was called a nursery, the school accepted children up to 10 years of age. This could save many people the trouble of raising children.
With the top scholar in front and Village Lord Yu behind, this nursery had the endorsement of talent and nobility. What else was there to say?
Immediately, many people rushed to spread the news. Regardless of when the nursery would officially start enrolling, they brought their children over and handed over the tuition fees.
The market rate of tuition fees in Wanning City were countless times higher than in Nanhe Town. Other than the money handed over at the beginning of school, they also had to give gifts during the new year and festivals. Fortunately, they did not have to give it to every teacher. They only had to hand it over to the teacher in charge of their children.
Liu Shi opened the nursery not to earn big money, so the tuition fees were not high. Both sides were satisfied.
Before night fell, the nursery had accepted more than 80 students. Their elders all expressed that they could even officially start the lessons on the next day.
The nursery was originally expected to only recruit 50 students, but they could not resist the enthusiasm of those families. In the end, they took in 88 children. Liu Shi had no choice but to urgently stop them and tell them that it would not be too late to send their kids over when the nursery was expanded in the future.
Liu Shi was caught between laughter and tears. “Everyone, don’t be anxious. The Enduring Tranquility Nursery will officially open in early September. During this period, we have to assess the children. Other than the customized stationery, there are also the uniforms they need to buy. It’s naturally impossible to do it in a day or two. When the time comes, we’ll inform everyone personally.”
Only then did everyone disperse.
“Mother, you’re so powerful!” Ah Yu raised her thumb at Liu Shi, feeling very impressed.
She wanted to open a women’s academy and had understood many procedures regarding the academy. The enrollment alone could stump many people, but Liu Shi could attract so many people on the first day of the opening.
Not to mention Qin Huai and her credit, Liu Shi’s early preparations were also very key to the successful results.
The various course arrangements in the nursery were all carefully thought out by Liu Shi herself, including many facilities in the nursery. Also, Liu Shi went around every day to look for suitable teachers and had to persuade them to agree to come to the nursery. There was no need to mention her hard work.
“Your father has also helped a lot. He has been running around outside for the past few years and knows some capable people. They also gave me many ideas.” Liu Shi smiled and said, “When the nursery is really done, Mother will tell you the details. This way, when you open the women’s academy in the future, you won’t have to be confused.”
Ah Yu hugged Liu Shi. “Wuwu, my mother is the best mother in the world. You’re too good to me!”
“Alright, you’re already so old, but you’re still wheedling in Mother’s arms. Aren’t you embarrassed?” Liu Shi deliberately teased Ah Yu.
Ah Yu buried her head in Liu Shi’s arms and did not come out. She deliberately whimpered and said, “I’m not embarrassed. I’m still young! Moreover, even if I’m 80 or 90 years old and become an old lady, it’s not embarrassing to act coquettishly in Mother’s arms.”
Liu Shi scratched her nose. “When you’re in your seventies or eighties, Mother will be long gone. Even if you want to act coquettishly, there’s nowhere to go.”
“Mother, don’t lie to me. When I’m in my seventies or eighties. Mother will be a healthy old lady too.”
“Alright, alright. Mother will strive to be a healthy old lady.”
Old Madam Wang called out to Liu Shi from the other end. Liu Shi pushed Ah Yu away with a smile and went over.
Ah Yu looked at the lanterns hanging outside the nursery and frowned.
‘[It’s your birthday today. Aren’t you happy?]
“Elf, is Mother sick? I didn’t notice it.”
[No, 1 just did a physical examination on your family yesterday. I spent 10 points on every person! They’re all very healthy. By the way, your Second Sister-in-law is pregnant and is also very healthy.]
“Then why did Mother suddenly say that?”
[Mm…] Meatbail did not need to flip through the parenting book to answer Ah Yu’s question. It replied, [Just treat it as a joke your mother is playing with you. The elders always like to joke about things that will happen a long time later. When that time comes, they will have long forgotten about it.]
“Alright.”
Ah Yu continued to stand at the door. Suddenly, she reacted. “Second Sister-in-law is going to have a baby?!”
She stood up excitedly, but she did not notice that she had bumped into someone behind her.
“Wu—” Ah Yu covered her aching head.
There was also someone who fell to the ground with a clang. His head tilted and he fainted.
[Oh.]
Qin Huai came out of Duke Yong Manor with the few best mooncakes he thought were the best. Just as he reached the door of the nursery, he saw Ah Yu collide with someone.
He hurriedly stuffed the mooncakes to Chi Jia behind him and quickly went up to catch All Yu to help her rub her head.
“Are you hurt?”
“I’m fine.” Ah Yu stabilized herself and looked at the person on the ground.
This person was really strange. On the Mid-Autumn Festival day, he was bare-chested and had his hair draped over his shoulders. He was holding a wine gourd in his hand. His face was red and he smelled of alcohol.
It was unknown if he had fainted from the collision or was drunk.
Qin Huai said to Chi Jia, “Help this person in first.”
The two guards who were originally following behind Qin Huai stepped forward when they heard this. They lifted his arms and quickly pulled him into the nursery..